Welcome to Our Gathering of EChurch@Wartburg

 

 

 

 

Sunrise

Here Is Our Order of Worship

Today we are featuring prayers from bloggers! 

A Prayer by John Bailie at the Internet Monk

Let me now go forth, O Lord, my God, to the work of another day,
still surrounded by Thy wonderful lovingkindnesses, still pledged to Thy loyal service,
still standing in Thy strength and not my own.

Let me to-day be a Christian not only in my words but also in my deeds:
Let me follow bravely in the footsteps of my Master, wherever they may lead:
Let me be hard and stern with myself:
Let there be no self-pity or self-indulgence in my life to-day:
Let my thinking be keen, my speech frank and open, and my action courageous and decisive.

I would pray, O Lord, not only for myself but for all the household to which I belong,
for all my friends and all my fellow workers, beseeching Thee to include them in all Thy fatherly regard. I pray also —

for all who will to-day be faced by any great decision:
for all who will today be engaged in settling affairs of moment in the lives of men and nations:
for all who are moulding public opinion in our time:
for all who write what other people read:
for all who are holding aloft the lamp of truth in a world of ignorance and sin:
for all whose hands are worn with too much toil, and for the unemployed whose hands today fall idle:
for those who have not where to lay their head.

O Christ my Lord, who for my sake and my brethren’s didst forgo all earthly comfort and fullness,
forbid that I should ever again live unto myself.
Amen.

A prayer by Scot McKnight

Almighty and everliving God, 

In your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ 
to take upon him our nature, 
and to suffer death upon the cross, 
giving us the example of his great humility: 

Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering, 
and also share in his resurrection; 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 
One God, for ever and ever. 
Amen.

Scripture Reading:  Luke 7:24-30 (NASB Bible Gateway)

When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,

‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU,
WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’

I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they acknowledged God’s justice, having been baptized with the baptism of John.  But the Pharisees and the [f]lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.

A Prayer by Martin Luther-Internet Monk

Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it.

I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.
I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor.

I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether.
O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you.
In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.

I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.
I am a sinner; you are upright.

With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness.
Therefore I will will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.
Amen.

A Prayer By Mary DeMuth

Jesus, help us know when to pursue, when to back down,
when to let go, when to open up, when to share, when to listen,
when to release, when to love well, when to forgive,
when to give up bitterness, when to humble ourselves,
when to stand up, when to pray. 

We give you every. single. one. of our relationships
–the awesome ones, the ones that drain, the ones conflicted,
the ones confusing, the ones stumbling back, the ones familial, the ones filled with addictions,
the ones far from Jesus, the ones of many years, the ones of a few weeks,
the ones online, the ones in person. 

Help us love well, release well, speak well, and listen exceedingly well.
Amen.

Benediction by Dee

Go now, remembering that your Father loves you
Go now, knowing that He promises peace beyond understanding
Go now, running after the lost, the letdown and the looking
Go now, understanding the God loves you-no matter what
Go now, resting in His mercy.
You are loved!
Amen